Chickpea (Cicer arietinum)
Care, watering, light and tips for Chickpea on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Fabaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 5–35 °C
About Chickpea
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) is an annual legume cultivated for its edible seeds, rich in protein and fiber. It has a bushy, compact habit with pinnate leaves and small white or purple flowers. This plant is ideal for home gardens or permaculture setups, adding nutritional value and improving soil fertility.
Native range
Near East and the Mediterranean basin
Care tips
It requires full sun for good production and well-drained soil, preferably sandy loam, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Watering should be moderate, avoiding waterlogging, especially during flowering and pod development. A common mistake is excessive nitrogen, which can promote leaf growth at the expense of seed production. Harvest when pods are dry and seeds are hard.
How to save a dying Chickpea
- Warning signs
- Yellow, drooping or wilted leaves. Soft or blackened stems. Soft, dark roots. Presence of fungi or pests.
- First aid
- Check drainage. Reduce watering. If pests, remove manually or with insecticidal soap. Ensure good ventilation.
- What kills it
- Overwatering causing root rot or favoring fungi like downy mildew. Lack of light. Too dense sowing.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots aren't completely rotted and some stems are healthy. Act quickly.